Students stage fuel hike protest

JAKARTA: Some 100 protesters grouped in the loose-knit student alliance City Forum (Forkot), along with supporters of Ciputat Students Communications Forum, staged a protest against the fuel price hike in front of Merdeka Palace in Central Jakarta on Saturday.

They made speeches, danced and performed street theater on an open area of land on Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara opposite the palace. They also waved banners on which was written, "Seize corruptors' money", "Reject the price hike" and "Reduce fuel prices".

Only about 30 policemen monitored the demonstration, which caused heavy traffic congestion in nearby areas of Gambir and Harmoni.

During their protest, the palace was hosting a ceremony to which elementary and high school students had been invited.

The demonstration, however, continued until late into the afternoon.--JP